Terriers compete in the Jack Russell Hurdle Race during the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge at Purina Farms in Gray Summit, Mo. on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009
OCT. 2, 2009 -- Former Olympic diver Greg Louganis and his Jack Russell, Dobby, prepare for a practice run in the dog agility course on Friday at Purina Farms in Gray Summit. Better known for his gold medals in the 1980's, Louganis has been competing in the dog agility circuit for about 12 years. (Huy Mach/P-D)
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
10/03/2009
GRAY SUMMIT, Mo. — An Olympic Gold medalist and his Jack Russell terrier are among those competing in this year's national finals of the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge in Missouri.
Champion diver Greg Louganis and his dog Dobby are competing in the Small Dog Agility competition. Louganis, of Malibu, Calif., has been training dogs for a dozen years. He and Dobby qualified by winning the Western Regional this summer in San Diego.
The 12th annual dog challenge takes place today, Oct. 3, at Purina Farms in Gray Summit, 35 miles west of St. Louis. Events include dog diving, freestyle disc, hurdle racing, agility and weave poles.
Competition gets under way at 11 a.m.
By all accounts, the 2009 Purina Incredible Dog C
hallenge Nationals were fantastic. The weather cooperated, the crowd was great, and the dogs were unbelievable.
Here are just a few pics from the event. It will be on ESPN at a later date: I will let you know the exact time and date.
I especially love the fact that Greg Louganis competed with his Jack Russell terrier Dobby. Remember Greg? U.S. Olympian himself in diving? Wow.
This competition shows that no matter the breed, the age (some record breakers in the past have been quite old), or the hardships-the heart and the determination are what matters. These dogs LOVE what they do! And we love watching them.

Congratulations to all that made it to the finals. What an accomplishment! And congratulations to all that competed in the competitions leading up to this. Dogs are truly amazing. But that isn’t news to me. Thanks for reading! keepsake16@yahoo.com